Thread: Bandsaws - the second most used item next to a lathe?

Gee! Sounds like Murfy's ax! Is there anithing origianl left! I survive without and bandsaw! I just have to visit other people a ll the time! (Other people with bandsaws that is! ) Hey! Gets me outa the house!

Have to agree the bandsaw is hard to live without. After cutting a few blanks by hand when my old bandsaw could only manage 6'' depth of cut. Nothing like painfull dead arms prompting you to get a bigger bandsaw.
Regards
John

For faceplate turners you can get away with a chain-sawn blank. Cut them into octagons.

Of course you have to live with the thumping when you true them. Which I hate but if shekels are in short supply ...

Should add, if you come in from the headstock side with your bowl gouge, register first on the spindle side of the bevel, and then come across you can minimise the thumping.

Wish I had one.
Cheers,
Jim

IME Jim they show wide variation out of the factory, as do the blades, and so need a major investment in fettling and in adjusting for each new blade.

They're brutal but work well if you make the investment.

I've a little 14"

wish (in hindsight) that I'd gone a bigger one, may do the trade in one day
IMHO the 14" is a tad small for the blank making etc

Now the Husky chainsaw (18" blade) is about right. wish it'd stop raining so I could fire it up

I use my bandsaw for everything as I don't have a table saw.

I have never had trouble realigning blades and it takes about 5-10 mins to fit a new blade and be back in operation. Most of that time is cleaning the crud out.

It is an old butchers saw that was converted to wood about 25 years ago and has not missed a beat since.

Throat depth is 300mm and can cut 400mm wide. It is extremely accurate.

Would I miss it? You betcha.

I do have a chainsaw but neighbours also.

It's a toss up between the chainsaw and the bandsaw. If I could only have one or the other for woodturning it would have to be the chainsaw. But, I'm a mere bowl turner...

Bandsaws make life easier.

Chainsaws also make life easier, but also pay for themselves quite quickly in my experience.

On bandsaws, if you can justify the initial cost, a larger diameter bandsaw wheel is easier going on the blades.

Almost managed to get a very large old cast iron framed bandsaw but transport costs killed off that opportunity. But, have been happy with my 430mm Leda. 5 years and counting.

.

During my first few years of turning I bought prepped blanks from a supplier, going down and eyeballing the stuff.

Pro:
* convenient; ready to turn to finish
* could see the figure clearly
* got advice on how to treat the timber
* got advice on which species were sods to turn and which not

Con
* exxy
* hard to come by big lumps or species not available in commercial quantities

So then to nature strip dumps and the like. Chain saw essential; good bandy handy.

A retired ww teacher mate of mine has filled his shed with old machinery. Has had to change 3 phase motors to 1 phase and deal with the motor mount probs. But he now has great machines at bargain basement prices.

Not all new bandies are plain sailing. I've had one that worked out of the box and one that needed fettling and still needs constant tweaking.

Bowl turners doing deeper work obviously need bandies with good size throats and they don't come cheap from new.

Best 3 Christmas presents I bought myself:

Lathe, 3hp Robust American Beauty, step up from PM 3520A, and step up from a 4 speed Atlas.

Laguna 16HD bandsaw, 4.5 hp Baldor motor, and 16 inch cutting height.

Oneida 3 hp centralized dust collector.

Couldn't do without any of them.

robo hippy

Originally Posted by orraloon

I do have a chainsaw but neighbours also.

I think my neighbours are deaf (or don't want to argue with someone with a chainsaw)

Might have to give Santa forewarning for next years pressy! Meanwhile I'll go and visit people for another year! At least I make 'em a cup of tea.

Hi Jefferson,
It seems like your B/Saw is a bit bigger than mine, as I have a 14in. 1987 job. Use only 3/8in. 6 TPI Skip Tooth Blades. I cut a lot of Branch Timber, which could have a bit of dirt sometimes, & other Woods as well.
It has a McMillan Decal on it.
I have only changed the motor, & that is it.
Every Blade used has been Documented since 1987.
Like you said, the most important piece of machinery other that the Lathe.
My Saw gets a pretty hard time now & then, & just wondering why you have so much trouble with yours & you are not the only one, as I know of a few with probs. as well.
Regards,
issatree.